The U.A. dorms were alive with energy.
After a week of intense combat practice and strategic team-building exercises, Class 1-A had finally been given a short break—a chance to settle into the recently finished dorm system. For many, it was a moment of bonding, freedom, and rest.
For Ren, it was something else entirely: space.
The tall building housed the entire class, each student given a private room, a shared kitchen, and common areas. As he moved into his room on the third floor, Ren felt something rare.
Peace.
He dropped his duffel bag and sat on the edge of the bed. His eyes scanned the space—minimalist, clean, a desk near the window.
He placed a small photo frame next to the lamp.
A man and a woman smiled from within.
His parents.
He stared at the photo for a long second… then sighed and stood.
---
Common Room – That Evening
"Ren, come down! It's movie night!" Kaminari shouted.
"No thanks," Ren called back.
Mina popped her head up from the staircase. "You can't avoid us forever, water-boy."
"Try me."
"Get your flirting butt down here," Jiro added, kicking his door lightly as she passed.
He gave in. Eventually.
The common room was buzzing. Students sprawled across couches, pillows, and beanbags. Tokoyami sat in a corner in deep conversation with his shadow. Todoroki was being interrogated by Kaminari about movies he'd never watched. Bakugo sulked with his arms crossed, but was still there.
Ren found a seat on the side. Momo was already there, sipping tea. She gave him a nod.
"You made it."
"Social pressure," he replied dryly.
He caught Toru (Invisible Girl) giggling with Mina near the TV, occasionally glancing his way. When she noticed his eyes, she waved—a pair of gloves floating midair.
Ren smiled back, just a little.
---
Ren stood alone on the dorm rooftop, shirt loose, his hands resting on the railing. The moonlight reflected off his palm as he slowly gathered moisture from the air, creating small orbs of water.
Hydro Core.
It's not just absorption... it's evolution.
He focused.
Water circled his arm like a serpent. He infused it with energy, then let it fade. Not enough water around tonight. Still, his stamina was high—he hadn't eaten dinner, yet he wasn't hungry.
"Sunlight and plants," he murmured. "Healing. Strength. Stamina. No one can know."
He heard soft steps behind him.
"Can't sleep either?" Jiro asked, stepping beside him. She wore a simple hoodie and shorts, earphones dangling.
"Nope."
She looked at the sky. "You always seem… calm. But not quiet."
He raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"
"You're loud in silence. Like you're carrying a storm inside."
He turned away. "I'm not a storm. I'm just… adapting."
She bumped his arm gently. "You know, you don't have to flirt all the time to hide stuff."
He paused. Then, with a grin, "That was subtle concern, Kyoka. I'm touched."
She groaned. "Forget it."
---
Next Morning – Training Field
"Rise and shine!" Aizawa barked.
The class groaned collectively.
"Today's a light session. Partner combat—no flashy quirks. Just strategy and movement."
Ren paired with Momo.
As they stood across from each other, Momo narrowed her eyes. "You're not holding back, right?"
"Never for you," he said with a wink.
She exhaled and took a defensive stance.
The match started.
Momo created a metal staff and moved in quickly, swinging low. Ren danced back, feet skimming the dew-soaked grass. He dropped low and swept her legs, but she jumped—flipping midair.
She's fast, he thought. And tactical.
She landed and jabbed with precision. Ren deflected her strikes with open palms, guiding her momentum. They moved like a dance—one fueled by intelligence, the other by instinct.
In a brief lock, he whispered, "You're beautiful when you're serious."
She froze for a microsecond—just long enough.
He tapped her shoulder gently. "Point to me."
She glared at him, cheeks flushed. "Cheater."
---
Ren sat beneath a tree near the dorms, legs crossed, soaking up sunlight. He reached into the ground, feeling the water within the roots.
Just a bit…
The warmth flowed into his skin. His shallow bruises from training faded slightly. Not instantly, but noticeably.
Nearby, Ibara from Class 1-B—green-haired, serene, and quietly praying—opened one eye.
"You're borrowing from the earth," she said softly.
Ren looked over, caught off guard.
"Excuse me?"
"Your energy. It shifts when you touch soil. You take, and it gives."
He gave a small, surprised smile. "You're... sharp."
She stood. "The Lord gave us these gifts. Use them with care."
He nodded. "I'll try."
As she walked away, he watched her—intrigued.
Evening – Girls' Common Room
Mina and Toru sat with Jiro and Momo, a bowl of popcorn between them.
"So what's the deal with Ren?" Mina asked suddenly.
"Yeah," Toru added. "I see the way you look at him, Momo."
Momo glanced down. "He's… complicated."
Jiro shrugged. "I hate how smooth he is. But… it's kinda real, too. He looks like he's pretending to be something he's not."
Toru giggled. "Flirty to cover something serious?"
Momo nodded slowly. "Yeah."
"Would you date him?" Mina teased.
Silence.
Then, Jiro muttered, "...Maybe."
Toru: "Same."
Momo: "...I don't know."
The girls exchanged looks.
---
[Melissa Shield's Lab, I-Island]
Melissa scanned the latest quirk analytics from the U.A. feed. A simulation of Ren's water manipulation played on the screen.
She tapped her tablet.
"Hydro Core… But there's no upper limit defined. He's not listed in public quirk registries. That means…"
She smirked.
"I need to meet him."
Do you like this story? Tell me your thoughts in comment section.